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Big guns armed and ready for title fight


SWEAT BOX: Last year's Rangitikei Shearing Sports winner Paul Avery will not defend his title in Marton tomorrow opting to concentrate on triathlons this season.PHOTO/FILE

SWEAT BOX: Last year's Rangitikei Shearing Sports winner Paul Avery will not defend his title in Marton tomorrow opting to concentrate on triathlons this season.PHOTO/FILE

Plenty of incentive is on offer for all the top Kiwi and international shearers to descend on Marton tomorrow.

The annual Rangitikei Shearing Sports is not only part of the New Zealand circuit, but this year it will also host the North Island championships and is the last of nine competitions for shearers and woolhandlers to qualify for the World Championships in Masterton in March coinciding with the Golden Shears.

Organisers are expecting the big guns to fight for top honours in Marton tomorrow, including many overseas teams already here for the World Championships.

Last year's winner of the Rangitikei Shearing Sports competition, Paul Avery, however, will not defend his title after opting to concentrate on triathlons.

There are five grades of shearing competitions and four woolhandling grades included on tomorrow's programme with more than $7000 in prizes up for grabs.

Last season 111 shearers and 47 woolhandlers took part.

The action starts at 8.30am in the Marton War Memorial Hall.

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